Wine Travel – Arizona Wine Country Beckons
Just a few miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona, you’ll notice the topography begin to change before your eyes. You will begin a slow ascent from a desert valley to high plains mountainous terrain offering warm days and cool nights. Soon, you’ll enter Arizona wine country, a burgeoning wine travel destination that’s garnering attention from the wine press and wine travel fanatics alike. Join us as we explore the secrets of this wine-producing region less than an hour from downtown Tucson.
It’s easy to visit Arizona Wine Country through a short and enjoyable day trip. Going east/southeast from Tucson on I-10, it’s only an hour away. Exit I-10 about 20 miles east of town at exit 281 and continue south on Arizona Rt. 83. The landscape changes and the temperature cools as you climb more than 2,000 feet along your trip.
Traveling south on Route 83, you’ll soon enter the charming town of Sonoita, the gateway to wine country. If you’re arriving around lunchtime, we recommend Cafe Sonoita, on scenic Route 82, just half a mile east of the Route 83 interchange. You’ll have a choice between a chalkboard menu, presented at your table, or the standard menu. . We enjoyed a local specialty, the Hatch Green Chile Chicken Burrito and a bowl of homemade soup. You can also enjoy a glass of Arizona wine from Cafe Sonoita’s extensive wine list.
Looking at the terrain in the Sonoita area, you’ll begin to understand why wine has been produced here for many years. It is a perfect combination of medium elevation, rich soil, and low humidity. The owners of the seven wineries in this area will tell you that this area is almost perfect for growing grapes.
The Seven Wineries of Southern Arizona Wine Country
Let’s spend a little time at each of the seven wineries in this area. As is typical on a wine road trip, these wineries are clustered within a few miles. We recommend a late morning stop in one or two, a break for lunch, and then more wine exploration in the afternoon.
We visited these wineries over the course of two visits, so feel free to mix and match your destinations. There is no prescribed order, as the wineries are scattered throughout this pleasant, mostly rural area. No matter which one you choose, you’re guaranteed a true taste of Arizona’s respected wine industry.
Callaghan Vineyards: Callaghan Vineyards produces premium reds and whites from its own 25-acre vineyard. Crafted in Mediterranean and Spanish varietals, owner Kent Callaghan’s wines have received praise from prominent publications such as Wine Spectator and the New York Times, and have been served at the White House three times. Our favorite was Lisa’s White, with its spicy apple scent and subtle, rich pear and grapefruit flavour.
Canelo Hills Vineyard and Winery: Canelo Hills is the product of owners Tim and Joan Mueller, who founded the operation in 2003. The Muellers were thrilled to open their new tasting room in September 2007, fulfilling a long-term dream of owning and operating their own winery . Located 7.5 miles east of the junction of Rt. 83 and 82 in the small town of Elgin, Canelo Hills is open for tastings on Fridays and Saturdays from 11-4. Tim and Joan are strong advocates for local sustainable produce and host a annual wine and farm festival. Current wine offerings include chardonnay, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and an especially delicious crisp riesling.
Two Heads Winery: Dos Cabezas is a newcomer to the Sonoita-Elgin wine country, but not a newcomer to the Arizona wine scene. They have been producing wines since 1995 and recently moved the winery to this area from a location in the southeastern part of the state. Dos Cabezas was very proud to win two Governors Choice Awards in December 2007 for the best red and white wine in Arizona. His Viognier won the award in the white category, while El Norte won the award for red wines. Located on Rt. 82, their tasting room is open Friday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Make a point to try the deep and complex El Norte…we loved it!
Rancho Rossa Vineyards: Rancho Rossa is one of the largest family owned wineries in Arizona, producing over 1,200 cases a year of their own fruit. Located about 6 miles southeast of Sonoita, they are open for tastings Friday through Sunday from 10:30-3:30. We enjoyed their Case Cuvee, a rich blend of Chardonnay, as well as their Grenache, a red that is fermented in French oak.
Elgin Village Winery: Village of Elgin Winery is one of the original wineries in the area. Established here over a quarter of a century ago, the Village of Elgin is well known for hosting two annual wine festivals, held in April and September. Offering a complete and unique selection of reds and whites, Village of Elgin wines will please any wine lover’s palate. We couldn’t pick just one favorite and were intrigued by unique offerings like their Blanc de Merlot (a white merlot) and Valle de Sonoita Tierra Dulce, a sweet port-like red. Village of Elgin’s Tombstone Red, a mix of red and white, is also very popular and widely available in retail stores.
Kief Joshua Vineyards: Kief-Joshua is another newcomer to the wine scene here and is located in the cluster of wineries known as “Winery Row,” in close proximity to many of the wineries mentioned above. The views from the tasting room are spectacular, overlooking picturesque grasslands with mountains in the distance. Owner Kief Joshua Manning has been making wine since he was a teenager and offers a small but impressive list of whites and reds. He tastes the refreshingly citrusy Viognier and don’t miss the intense dark cherry flavor of his Cabernet Sauvingnon. We also bought a green chili sauce mix at the gift shop from him which was one of the best sauces we’ve had in years!
Sonoite Vineyards: Our last stop on this Wine Trail adventure is Sonoita Vineyards, the largest winery in this area and open since 1983. Their fruity Arizona Sunset rosé wine was the first Arizona wine we tasted many years ago. For a change of pace, try their Sonora Rossa. It is a light spiced red wine that is best served slightly chilled, perfect with Italian food.
final thoughts
If you’re ready to spend a little more time in this area, consider staying overnight in one of the area’s lodging options. The Sonoita-Elgin Chamber of Commerce will help you choose lodging. Another option to extend your trip is the nearby historic cities of Tombstone and Bisbee, which offer numerous dining, shopping and entertainment options.